Carlo Ancelotti on Real Madrid's transfer strategy – “I didn't ask to sign, but I didn't rule it out”
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has told the media that the club is not planning to make a signing in the January transfer window to compensate for the loss of Dani Carvajal for the rest of the season. The Blancos were left with only Lucas Vazquez as a natural option in the place of the right.
One of the first questions that was asked was whether Los Blancos would sign a defender to join Carvajal.
“I didn't ask the club for reinforcements, because last year we already treated the injuries we had well and the same will happen this season.”
There has been little suggestion that Real Madrid will turn to their academy for help, and Ancelotti has done little to fuel that idea either.
“Loren, David Jimenez, Fortea, Jacobo… We make an assessment every day of what they can contribute to us.”
The Italian manager did not go so far as to rule out a January signing at all, but without a signing in the winter window since 2020, Ancelotti he said that was not the likely outcome.
“If we find an ideal player for Real MadridThen we do not rule out making a signing, but it is not so simple to find an ideal player. We have youth players who can contribute, the return of David Alaba, who will soon be with the team… At the moment we are not thinking about making any signings,” said Ancelotti.
As for the alternatives to Vazquez, Ancelotti had a suggestion.
“Militao,” was his one-word answer. It was also pointed out to him that Lucas Vazquez is the only natural option without Carvajal, and that it might be a lot to ask the 33-year-old to play most of the games.
“One of the best qualities that Lucas Vazquez has is his physical strength: he will not have problems playing all the games that I give him. It is something that we do not even contemplate. In the physical aspect he is at his best. We have complete confidence with him.”
Real Madrid has been very linked to Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnoldalong with several other rights in recent weeks. However, it seems more likely that they are looking at the position for the summer of 2025, as more of a long-term replacement for Carvajal, rather than a short-term fix.
